Possibility of usinf^ salmon cannery waste 

 as a source of protein 



Presence of Proteins in Salmon Cannery Y.aste 



The largest amount of protein in salmon cannery waste is present in 

 the head, collar and tail sections, A fairly large amount of this nro- 

 teinaceous material is composed of flesh similar to that nresent in canned 

 salmon. I'any reports present in the scientific literature attest to the 

 high biological value of this protein. The parts constituting the next 

 largest portion of the salmon waste are the gonads or roe and the milt. 

 The proportion of roe and milt in the total salmon waste increases greatly 

 as the fishing season progresses, and the fish prepare for spawning. 

 Both of these organs contain characteristic proteins of a very special 

 nature not found in other parts of the fish. The roe is reported to be 

 a good source of the histone bases and the solids of milt contain a very 

 high percentage of a protamine. Proteins v.lth very specific properties are 

 also found in the organs cranprising the digestive tract, liver, heart 

 and fins. These latter organs are present in salmon cannery waste in 

 much smaller proportions than the roe and milt. 



Percent Composition of Salmon Cannery V.'aste 



Analytical data developed by the Fishery Products Laboratory of the 

 Fish and '.Vildlife Service at Ketchikan, Alaska show the average percentage 

 composition of the portions or organs present in the salmon cannery 

 waste and also the average nitrogen content of each part or organ for the 

 five species of salmon taken there in commercial quantities. By referring 

 to Table 1 and Figure 1 it can be seen that the head and collar account 

 for about half of the entire salmon cannery waste, for all five species. 

 It must be remembered, however, that these are average values for a por- 

 tion of the season only and that there is considerable variation as the 

 season progresses due to increase in the proportion of roe and milt. 



Table 1. — Percent Composition of Salmon Cannery irVaste 



10 



